Bottom line: Teal is the rare job-search tool whose free plan is not a teaser. You get unlimited resumes, unlimited job tracking, and 10 templates at $0, forever. The paywall sits where it hurts least at first — unlimited AI writing, full keyword matching, and advanced analysis are Teal+ features, and the free AI credits are a small one-time set, not a monthly allowance.
Free-plan details checked October 17, 2026, against Teal’s own comparison and pricing pages. This is a research-based review; we do not claim hands-on testing.
What does Teal do?
Teal combines three jobs job seekers usually juggle in separate apps: building resumes, tracking applications, and managing networking contacts. You build a resume from a template, tailor a version for a specific posting, save jobs with its Chrome extension, and track every application and follow-up in one dashboard. Its keyword matching compares your resume against a saved posting and shows which terms are present and which are missing.
What is actually free on Teal?
Teal’s free plan costs $0 and is not a trial. Based on Teal’s own published plan details, free includes:
- Unlimited resumes: create, edit, and export as many resume versions as you need.
- Unlimited job tracking: bookmark unlimited roles in the Job Tracker and follow each application through its stages.
- 10 templates and basic resume analysis.
- Limited keyword matching: you see part of the match picture free; the full keyword list is a Teal+ feature.
- Limited AI credits: a small set of one-time credits for AI bullet generation, professional summaries, and cover letters. They do not refill monthly, so spend them on your most important applications.
- Contact tracking: keep networking contacts, notes, and follow-up reminders next to each application.
That mix matters. Most rival builders cap the document itself — one resume, a handful of downloads. Teal caps the AI help instead, so the core workflow (build, tailor, track) stays free no matter how long your search runs.
What does Teal+ add, and what does it cost?
Teal+ unlocks unlimited AI generation (bullets, summaries, rewriter, cover letters), unlimited keyword matching, deeper resume analysis, and advanced design options. Teal lists Teal+ at $13 every 7 days, $29 every 30 days, or $79 every 90 days. Read that weekly price carefully: at $13 a week, staying subscribed costs more than the 30-day plan, so the weekly option only makes sense for a short, intense application sprint.
Pros and cons of Teal’s free plan
Pros
- Unlimited resumes and job tracking free forever — the most generous core offer in this category
- Keyword matching gives checklist-style feedback instead of vague advice
- Contact CRM for networking is a genuinely unusual free feature
- Chrome extension removes the copy-paste friction of saving jobs
Cons
- Free AI credits are one-time and limited; heavy AI users will hit the wall fast
- Full keyword list and advanced analysis sit behind Teal+
- Teal+ weekly billing can quietly cost more than the monthly plan:
- Teal does not auto-apply for you — every application is still submitted manually
Who is Teal best for?
Active job seekers applying to multiple roles who are tired of tracking applications in a spreadsheet. If you are running a real search — dozens of postings, several tailored resume versions, follow-ups to remember — the free plan alone replaces the spreadsheet, and Teal+ becomes a judgment call about how much AI writing help you want.
Frequently asked questions
Is Teal really free, or is it a trial?
It is a permanent free plan, not a countdown trial. Unlimited resumes and job tracking stay free; you only pay if you upgrade to Teal+ for unlimited AI and deeper analysis.
Do Teal’s free AI credits refill?
No. The free AI credits are a limited one-time set. Once they are spent, AI generation requires Teal+.
Can Teal guarantee my resume passes an ATS?
No tool can. Teal’s keyword matching shows which terms from a posting appear in your resume, which helps you tailor honestly — it does not guarantee an interview.
What happens to my resumes if I cancel Teal+?
Your account reverts to the free plan, which still covers unlimited resumes and job tracking. What you lose is the Teal+ layer: unlimited AI generation and the full keyword list.
Verdict: The best free job-search organizer we have covered: build and track without limits, and treat the AI credits as a tasting menu. Pay for Teal+ only during an active application push — and pick the 30- or 90-day billing if you do.